Vandals steal bolted-down park setting
YARRA Ranges mayor Maria McCarthy has hit out at vandals who stole a picnic table and chairs from Healesville’s Everard Park last month.
The council announced on Thursday 8 October that its parks and bushlands team discovered the table and chair gone last week during regular maintenance.
A metal gate had been cut open at the park, off the Maroondah Highway, and it appeared the thieves had unbolted the table and chair from a concrete base.
Cr McCarthy said that stealing the chairs was a “low act”, and “shameful behaviour”.
“This is disgusting and desperate behaviour, for someone to stoop so low as to remove a table and chairs from a park,” she said.
“It’s this kind of anti-social attitude that wrecks things for other people and costs council and, in turn, residents.”
Healesville police Senior Constable Kirsty Swankie said the chair and table were stolen over the weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, though the theft was only reported on Wednesday 7 October.
Anyone with information on the theft, who saw any suspicious activity, or who has a friend with a new outdoor setting bolted into the ground, should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Burglar’s sour note
A MUSICALLY-inclined burglar is being sought by police after a burglary in Coldstream earlier this month, with $4000 worth of gear stolen.
Between 1am and 12pm on Saturday, 3 October, thieves smashed a window to a barn that had been converted to a music studio.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant, Pat Barrow, said that computer and music equipment was stolen in the burglary.
A Korg synthesiser, a Virus synthesiser and a Saffire sound card were among the items taken, and with a total value of $4000.
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour or who has any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Throat burnt after hot sauce dare
HEALESVILLE police officers are warning teenagers against a hot sauce dare which saw a Healesville boy taken to hospital earlier this month.
Leading Senior Constable Chris Hickey told the Mail that on Wednesday, 30 September, a 12-year-old Healesville boy was dared to drink “extremely hot” chilli sauce straight from the bottle.
He said the boy burnt his throat and was taken to Healesville Hospital’s clinic for treatment, and that others may be doing the same for a dare.
“Police have information that it seems to be a dare among young kids these days,” Leading Sen Const Hickey said.
Leading Sen Const Hickey warned that, in the wrong circumstances, drinking straight chilli sauce could cause an allergic reaction or close airways.
“It could be fatal to the wrong child,” he said.
He said that some chilli sauces were not sold to minors due to the potential danger of such a reaction.
Water pump stolen, witnesses wanted
HEALESVILLE police are asking for witnesses to come forward, after a water pump was stolen from a Badger Creek property last month.
Between Monday 31 August and Wednesday 21 September, a water pump was stolen from underneath a house on Badger Creek Road in Badger Creek.
Healesville Police Sergeant Stewart Thomson has asked for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00.
Sgt Thomson said the theft was a “timely reminder” for residents to keep firefighting equipment secure as the fire season drew closer.
“People get their trailers, park them in the front yard of the house … ready to rock and roll, and offenders are driving in, hooking up the trailers and going,” he said.
“Obviously, be prepared, but be conscious of the security of your property as well, because they’re a valuable asset – they can be the difference between life and death.”
Sgt Thomson said chains and padlocks or trailer locks were both effective ways of deterring would-be thieves.
Disqualified driver caught drink driving
A TOOLANGI woman is expected to front court after being caught driving in the Toolangi State Forest drunk while disqualified over the grand final long weekend.
Victoria Police announced on Sunday that State Highway Patrol police patrolling the Toolangi State Forest on Saturday 3 October, pulled over three four-wheel-drives, driven by two men and a woman, all from Toolangi.
The Toolangi woman, a 49-year-old, was found to be disqualified from driving, and returned a positive preliminary breath test.
After being taken to the Kinglake police station, the woman returned a reading of 0.194 per cent Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – nearly four times the legal limit for fully-licensed drivers.
She is expected to be charged on summons for disqualified and drink-driving.
Green thumb thieves
SPRING is the perfect time to get yards in shape and to mow the lawns – but it appears someone was a bit too keen for some landscaping, robbing Lilydale’s Baptist Church in the process.
Between 10am on 19 September and 8am on 3 October, thieves forced a lock to a shed at the church’s property on the corner of Swanea Road and Hull Road in Lilydale.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant, Pat Barrow, said the thieves then made off with a John Deere ride-on mower, two push mowers, a whipper-snipper and a blower vac, worth $5800.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity, who has more information, or who knows someone suddenly over-encumbered with mowing equipment should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Harleys went fast
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after three Harley Davidson motorcycles were stolen from a Lilydale property earlier this month.
Between 9am on 30 September and 3.15pm on Tuesday, 6 October, police believe thieves forced a side-door to a garage on a property.
The thieves then opened a roller door and stole three Harley Davidson motorcycles, made in 1969, 1971 and 1988.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant, Pat Barrow, said the 1988 model had “distinctive work” on the petrol tank of a skull, and that the total value of the three motorcycles was $50,000.
Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity, or who has any information about the theft, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
